Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, a former beauty queen herself, released a statement this week, claiming a kinship with embattled Miss California USA Carrie Prejean (seen above) and that both women were 'liberal targets'
Prominent Republican wags finger at ‘liberal onslaught’ By Matthew B. Zeidman
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Hollywood Today) 5/16/09 – With her own family-based scandals beginning to fade from public memory, former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has come out in defense of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean. The Alaskan governor has decried the negative media attention the nascent 22-year-old received after publicly denouncing the legalization of gay marriage and likened it to her own trials during last year’s presidential election cycle.
“The liberal onslaught of malicious attacks against Carrie Prejean for expressing her opinion is despicable,” Palin, 45, said in a statement, in which she described herself and Prejean as “liberal target[s].”
Prejean has faced widespread media scrutiny, following her loss at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas on April 19. During the ceremony, where she finished as first runner up, she was prompted by openly gay judge Perez Hilton to express her opinion regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage. She responded that she personally did not believe in the legalization of such unions—an answer which Hilton later told ABC News cost her the title of Miss USA.
Palin, a self-proclaimed devout Christian, faced criticism when it was revealed last year that her teenage daughter was pregnant out of wedlock. Though she received praise from her conservative base for supporting her daughter’s decision to carry the child to term and marry the father, rather than having an abortion or raising the child as a single mother, the young couple broke their engagement in March 2009.
Since April, Prejean has also faced criticism regarding two topless photos leaked on the Internet, as well as her breast implants, which were paid for by the Miss California USA organization before the Miss USA pageant.
Despite the photo controversy, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, real-estate mogul Donald Trump, announced earlier this month he would not penalize Prejean for failing to disclose the racy images before taking part in the competition. Miss California USA co-executive director Shanna Moakler resigned shortly after, telling various media outlets she was unable to reconcile Prejean’s unwillingness to take responsibility for her actions with the spirit of the Miss California USA organization.
“This is my life; this is something that I love,” Moakler told Access Hollywood. “I’m sad. I’ve lost something that I invested a lot of time and energy in, and I don’t feel like I was heard.” Moakler also told Access Hollywood that she would without a doubt return to her position if Prejean relinquished her title.
Miss California USA organizers planned a news conference for Monday, in which they would announce whether Miss California USA Carrie Prejean would be permitted to reign for the remainder of her term
Pageant officials expect to make announcement Monday
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 5/11/09 – After three weeks of relentless scandal, including accusations involving breast implants, nude photos and intolerance of the gay community, Miss California USA Carrie Prejean will likely be told by pageant organizers in a news conference scheduled for later today whether she will retain her crown.
The 21-year-old made headlines on April 19, when she was asked by pageant judge and Internet personality Perez Hilton during the Miss USA competition whether she supported the legalization of same-sex marriage. Prejean stated that she thought it was “great” that Americans of all sexual orientations were able to marry, but that she did not personally support legalizing same-sex unions.
Hilton, who is openly gay, stated to ABC News that the San Diegan’s response cost her the Miss USA crown, which eventually went to Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton, age 22. Prejean finished as the first runner up.
Startup Camp Montréal ever growing attendance attests to the entrepreneurial spirit in North America.
By Ane Howard, Editor-in-Chief
MONTREAL (RPRN) 05/09/2009–Startup Camp Montréal, whose tagline is Ready, Set, Pitch, held its fourth edition at the Société des Arts Technologiques on May 7. Its success with its over 400 attendees attests to the entrepreneurial spirit that lives in North America, even in this downturn economy. Entrepreneurs and Investors came to hear keynote speakers and companies from as far away as Silicon Valley, Boston, Toronto and Montreal generously shared their stories. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Bar Refaeli has been placed on the cover of the 'Sports Illustrated' 2009 swimsuit issue, a spot coveted by aspiring models
Israeli model will grace front of annual swimsuit edition
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 2/10/09 – Bar Refaeli suddenly became a household name Tuesday, when “Sports Illustrated” distributed the cover image of its 2009 swimsuit issue. The front of the annual special edition will feature the Israeli model tugging down on her string bikini in front of the lush, tropical waters surrounding the Grenadines’ Canouan Island.
“This is the one I felt the most comfortable with,” Refaeli told the Associated Press of the alluring, yet simple, snapshot. “You have the beach, blue water and a body. That’s it. I liked that the top of the suit was on.”
Refaeli, who also appeared in the 2007 and 2008 swimsuit editions, is an accomplished model, having done advertising work for the Hurley clothing line, Diddy’s “I Am King” cologne and recession-resilient automaker Subaru.
Active in promoting environmentalism, Refaeli participated in a 2008 public-service campaign to encourage Israeli consumers to forgo disposable plastic bags. She has also volunteered her time in support of seriously ill children (Project Sunshine) and animals in need (Israel’s AHAVA). She began dating actor Leonardo DiCaprio, a fellow environmentalist, in 2005.
Warner still has the right stuff, but Roethlisberger has a little more
By Jeffrey Jolson
HOLLYWOOD,CA (Hollywood Today) 2/1/09– Pittsburgh won the Superbowl but the back stories of the year, oldster Kurt Warner and former sno-cone seller Larry Fitzgerald made one of the biggest comebacks in Superbowl history. But they didn’t win.
Superbowls are rarely exciting, but Pittsburgh at 28-24 became the first team in history to win six rings. Within the last minute, Holmes caught a TD pass from Roth that will make Superbowl clips forever. And I lost $20 on the Steelers cause of the seven-point spread, but it was the best $20 I ever lost. This was a game worthy of its lofty title.
The Steelers came down to a mylar balloon of losing the Superbowl to the senior Warner and his Arizona Cardinals, who just would not lay down before the legendary Steel Curtain.
If not hamstrung by about a 100 yards of personal penalties, the Cards might have won the Big Kahuna long before the final minutes. But even Warner, smooth, determined and seasoned by a past Superbowl win, had to pull it out with a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the Superbowl, something Joe Montana or Troy Aikman would do in their prime. And both of these QBs are in their company in NFL last-minute superstardom, with Bowl rings to prove it.
Roethlisberger had a bold last-minute offense, taking the edge off a monumental last minute Warner drive. The game gave me two heart attacks and a seizure, but fans and I could not be happier, it was one of the best Superbowls ever.
Both QBs and teams were brave warriors to the last seconds. Arizona, not known for defense, kept the Steelers in their own endzone in one 4th quarter stand, and suffered them a two-point safety call. But Roth pulled it out as seconds ticked down… as champions do for a living. As Nadal and Federer showed in the Australian Open Tennis Finals, hours before the Super Bowl — the best of the best just keep playing until they are dragged off the playing field. Nadal won by a hair and bit of heart, just like Roth.
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band was the main draw at halftime, with no wardrobe malfunctions. The Boss said in a pre-game interview that he was a fan of last year’s SB winner the NY Giants as did President Barack Obama in a pre-game chat with Matt Lauer on NBC.
Jessica Alba fired back at detractors Tuesday, pointing out that her statement about Sweden being neutral during wartime was wholly accurate
Star turns the tables with ‘Sweden’ comment By Matthew B. Zeidman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/28/09 – Bill O’Reilly and TMZ thought they caught Jessica Alba in a slip of the tongue at an inauguration party last week, the latter going so far as to call her “an arrogant buffoon.” The “Fantastic Four” actress turned the tables on her MySpace blog yesterday, however, proving it was the Fox anchor and the celebrity tabloid that didn’t do their research.
“Last week, Mr. Bill O’Reilly and some really classy sites (i.e.TMZ) insinuated I was dumb by claiming Sweden was a neutral country,” Alba wrote. “I appreciate the fact that he is a news anchor and that gossip sites are inundated with intelligent reporting, but seriously people…it’s so sad to me that you think the only neutral country during WWII was Switzerland.”
The controversy erupted when Alba tried to coax a reluctant reporter at the celebration to tell her his opinion of President Barack Obama, telling him to speak neutrally and “be Sweden.” O’Reilly and TMZ jumped on the comment, criticizing Alba for not referring to Switzerland, also known for its neutrality during World War II.
The “Dark Angel” star went on to further ridicule O’Reilly and TMZ for their “accurate reporting” and suggested that there were things more worthy of national discussion than her knowledge of world history.
Alba, who recently starred in comedies “The Love Guru” and “Good Luck Chuck” and thrillers “The Eye” and “Awake,” will next appear in “An Invisible Sign of My Own,” a drama based on the 2000 Aimee Bender novel of the same name.
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today / RushPRNews) 01/10/09 -The conflict between the Israelis and Hamas will be explored from both sides of the divide on News Talk Online on [1] Paltalk.com Monday and Tuesday, January 12 and 13. On Monday, my guest will be Israel’s Consul General in New York, Asaf Shariv. On Tuesday, we’ll hear from Hussein Ibish, executive director of the Foundation for Arab-American Leadership Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Hilary Duff (left) rose to fame with a starring role on a Disney Channel comedy, similar to current Disney poster child Miley Cyrus (right)
Former Disney poster child accuses Elle of falsifying virginity quote
By Matthew B. Zeidman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 12/16/08 – “Raise Your Voice” headliner Hilary Duff is speaking up about her interview with Elle two years ago, in which she allegedly claimed her virginity was intact. The “With Love” singer, fragrance designer and fashion mogul told Maxim in its upcoming January issue that the 2006 statement about her sex life was a complete fabrication.
“You know what? I was quoted saying I was a virgin,” Duff, 21, revealed to the popular lad mag, “but I absolutely did not say that. That’s nobody’s business but my own.”
The former “Lizzie McGuire” star did not specify if the suspect section of text was accurate or not, but did criticize the media at large for promulgating rumors the entertainer enjoyed dispensing amateur lap dances at various night clubs.
“People love to believe it; it’s way more exciting to talk about than the truth,” Duff put forth. “And they’re so descriptive about these lap dances. I don’t even know how to do a lap dance!”
Duff, who appears in various states of undress in Maxim’s January issue, has striven over the past several years to distance herself from the wholesome Disney image by which she rose to fame in 2001. In 2004, she appeared in a provocative photo shoot in Blender magazine, and earlier this year, she portrayed a coquettish pop star in the satirical romp “War, Inc.”
Britney Spears told MTV she doesn't see her latest media push as a comeback, but rather the end of a lull all performers experience
Two-month profile paints tragic picture of pop culture icon
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 12/1/08 – MTV’s new documentary, “Britney: For the Record,” delivered what it promised Sunday, bringing viewers into the world of “Womanizer” singer Britney Spears and portraying the pop icon as both winsome and tragic.
“It’s all I’ve ever known. I don’t see it as weird,” Spears told MTV of her life in the spotlight, which included a constant barrage of aggressive paparazzi vying for candid photos of the 26-year-old starlet.
The network’s cameras followed Spears for several weeks around Los Angeles and New York and painted a picture of a passionate performer trapped by her own fame.
Wednesday debut plagued by negative critical response and low ratings
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 11/30/08 – It was supposed to be Rosie O’Donnell’s crowning achievement following several months of bad press, but a crush of unkind reviews and a thin audience ensured the cancellation of “Rosie Live,” the comedian’s new variety show that premiered Wednesday on NBC.
O’Donnell announced the program’s discontinuation on her official blog Friday, acknowledging the chilly reception, but adding it was “still a thrill” for her to perform. Approximately five million peopled tuned in the night before Thanksgiving, according to Nielsen Media Research, a paltry amount for a midweek primetime broadcast on a major network.
Though “Rosie Live” boasted several celebrity guests, including Alec Baldwin, Liza Minnelli and Alanis Morissette, it was plagued by unabashed sponsorship plugs that would make even The CW’s “90210” blush, as well as poorly timed Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
CNN’s Veronica De La Cruz shares her MUST-HAVE gadgets for the “JOURNALIST on-the-go”
ATLANTA (Hollywood Today) 11/26/08 — One of CNN’s youngest and most tech savvy anchors, Veronica De La Cruz, knows just what to get a tech-lover for the holidays to put a smile on their face!
Why? Because she is secretly a tech nerd and is always looking for the coolest gadgets that can help her with her own segments for CNN (which she films on the streets of New York, and edits all entirely by herself)!
If you are stuck for what to get your tech-loving friend, relative or significant other, stick to one of these 7 suggestions made by Veronica and you are guaranteed to get the reaction you’ve been wanting:
1. –APPLE MacBook Pro
2. –Flip or the Flip Mino HD
3. –Blackberry Storm or Bold (depending on how hardcore of a Blackberry user you are)
After Britney Spears appeared in "Rolling Stone" in 1998, there was no turning back
Singer shares breakup details in magazine that helped launch her career
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 11/26/08 – Britney Spears will grace the cover of December’s “Rolling Stone,” and it is in sharp contrast to the coquettish image of the pop princess that helped launch her to stardom a decade earlier.
Unlike the 1998 photo of Spears snuggling with a Teletubby in boy shorts and a bra, which thrilled fans, horrified critics and cemented her image as a young temptress, the mother of two appears natural and relaxed in a midriff-bearing T-shirt and jeans.
Inside the issue, which sports the modified Barack Obama slogan “Yes She Can,” Spears discusses her breakup with backup dancer Kevin Federline and her comeback CD, “Circus.”
“I didn’t think my husband was gonna leave me. Otherwise, I’d be with my babies 24/7,” she told the publication. “But, since they’re almost like twins, they both take care of each other. I think they look like me.”
Spears also made it a point to note her young boys, Jayden James and Sean Preston, looked nothing like their father, who has full-time custody of the children, and chastised the aspiring rapper for allegedly teaching them to curse. She also spoke about the emotional cost of revealing herself in her work.
“It’s scary to put yourself out there and be like, ‘Oh, God, is that cool?’” Spears told the magazine. “If you’re not going to really go for it, you can’t just go there halfway. But, sometimes when you go for it, you can’t lose.”
Dec. 2 will be a big day for Spears, who will turn 27, release her new album and perform live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Two days earlier, MTV will broadcast a new documentary about the entertainer, featuring emotional and candid interviews with Spears, herself.
![Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, a former beauty queen herself, released a statement this week, claiming a kinship with embattled Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and that both women were 'liberal target[s]'](http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/carrieprejeanpinkswimsuit1.jpg "carrieprejeanpinkswimsuit1")
